Replacement for lame RCBS LAM2 Lube Pressure Handle

[Elric]

While jerking the handle on a LAM2, the absence of one of the round knobs on the Lube Pressure Handle sorta annoyed me. Drove over to Menards looking at the 1/4" drive 12mm 6pt sockets. Didn't want the deep socket, and the standard length appears too short for the 1/4" pin.

Soooo... thinking a bit... whip out a chunk of 3/4" stock, drill through and through for the shaft of the drive bit. Cross-drill for a threaded dog screws to hold the bit. Then partially drill the 1/2" for the head of the Lube Pressure screw, deep enough to cross-drill the 1/4" pin.

Yes, I do have a deep socket 12mm 6pt socket mounted with a cross-pin on a LAM2, but it looks a bit dorky...

 

[Brad]

Got a photo?

 

[Elric]

This is a Menards "Masterforce" 12mm 6pt deep socket, 1/4" drive P/N 10762, drilled for a 1/4" cross-pin. The 1/4" cross-pin is a replacement for the lube screw handle, and the top of the cross-drilled hole is .200 below the top of the lube screw (which makes the dead center of the cross-drilled hole .325 below the top of the lube screw). The ratchet wench is a Chapman ratchet with a 1/4" bit. The downside for using a socket is that it is hardened. I used a center drill to start, followed up with a cobalt 1/4" stub drill. You could use a solid pin, a screw, or a roll pin to fasten the socket to the lub screw.

Note: I did some non-alcohol fueled sadomathification (actually cracked open my copy of Machinery's Handbook) and looked for the side to side ID for a 6pt, and the 12mm was very close. It doesn't wiggle.

 

[KHornet]

I never minded the lube pressure handle on RCBS, lube sizers.
On the other hand, never lost a little round ball. Have two of
them.

Paul

 

[Mike W1]

Just grind a slot in a 1/4" drive, 6 point 1/2" socket and insert a bolt to tighten things up. No mods needed. Not my idea but works just fine.

 

[Elric]

On the other hand, never lost a little round ball. Have two of
them. Paul

One ball snapped in half on the mold line. I am sure RCBS would replace it free and gratis, but for me, the balls will eventually unscrew anyways.

 

[Mike W1]

One ball snapped in half on the mold line. I am sure RCBS would replace it free and gratis, but for me, the balls will eventually unscrew anyways.

A little blue loctite solves that problem.

 

[Brad]

My Star doesn't have that problem.....

 

[Winelover]

I despised the OEM handle of the LAM II. Not enough leverage and the little balls were a PITA. I drilled out a 1/4" drive, 9/16" Apex deep well socket. Held in place with a brass nut and bolt, for ease of removal. Works for me. Not an issue with the Star, to the left, of it.